Description
Security guards and workers in related security service occupations guard and implement security measures to protect property against theft, vandalism and fire; to control access to establishments; to maintain order and enforce regulations at public events and within establishments; to perform screening of passengers, luggage or cargo; to conduct private investigations for clients or employers and to provide other protective services not elsewhere classified. They are employed by public or private security agencies, residential complexes, educational, cultural, financial and health institutions, retail establishments, investigation service companies, transportation facilities, and organizations throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Job Titles
- Airport security guard
- Armed security guard
- Bodyguard (except police)
- Screening officer
Main Duties
- Control access to establishments, operate security control-room equipment and patrol assigned areas to guard against theft, vandalism and fire
- Enforce regulations to maintain order and resolve conflicts and to monitor establishment activities
- Ensure safety and emergency procedures are followed
- Issue passes and direct visitors to appropriate areas and check age identification of patrons.
Workplaces
- Businesses
- Educational, cultural, financial and health institutions
- Industrial organizations
- Investigation service companies
- Organizations throughout the private and public sectors
- Public and private security agencies
- Residential complexes
- Retail establishments
- Self-employment
- Transportation facilities
Skills
- Persuading
- Coordinating
- Decision Making
- Learning and Teaching Strategies
- Monitoring
Abilities
- Explosive Strength
- Night Vision
- Peripheral Vision
- Sound Localization
- Trunk Strength
Personal Attributes
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Stress Tolerance
- Active Learning
- Adaptability
Similar Occupations
- Correctional service officers (43201)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be moderate for Security guards and related security service occupations (64410) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Turnover is relatively high in this occupation. This can be explained by difficult working conditions such as irregular working hours, etc. and the fact that a significant percentage of candidates for investigator or store detective, military and even police officer positions accept employment in this occupation before securing jobs in their field of choice. Also, the number of those employed tends to be higher during the tourist season. As a result, some of the job openings will be seasonal or for part of the year.
The labour pool consists of three very different groups: young people with little education; candidates for whom it is a second career; and individuals who have had training in security and apply for employment in this occupation.
The activities of security agencies are diversifying: road signs, monitoring of shops, surveillance of businesses, hotels and buildings, protection of individuals in various forms, and bodyguard services.
Here are some key facts about Security guards and related security service occupations in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 350 people work in this occupation.
- Security guards and related security service occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
- Management and administrative services (NAICS 55, 56): 71%
- Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 9%
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 7%
- Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 5%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 70% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 30% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 61% of security guards and related security service occupations work all year, while 39% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 81% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: 19% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 11% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 39% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 15% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 24% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupation
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $16.00 | $16.00 | $23.00 |
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.64 | $28.00 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.